Chapter 4

"For those who have yet to become esquires the exam will be in about a month" Shura said leaning against the desk casually.

"There will be a weeklong boot camp to help prepare everyone for their test" Yukio said in his instructor tone. And then he handed out papers for everyone to fill out and turn in. He explained that it would be at the dorm and everyone would return there after classes everyday for a week to get extra lessons by him and Shura. We already had tests to see what meisters we were better suited for. I ranked highest in Aria. Then tied for Doctor and Tamer. Dragoon. And lastly Knight. I wondered what I should put as Yukio continued to talk. The bell rang and some people left.

"So what is everyone's focus on meisters?" I asked curious.

"I'm going to be a knight." Rin said.

"Izumo and I are tamers" Sheimi said

"Konekumoru, Shima and I are focusing on Aria. I'm also going to pursue the Dragoon meister as well." Bon said looking as serious as always. "You are eligible for all of them what are you going to chose?" Bon asked.

"Well… I guess I should use all of them. My main focuses are going to be Aria and Doctor. Then Tamer. After that Dragoon and Knight." I said looking at the ceiling leaning back in my chair.

"You could be the next paladin" Sheimi said. I looked at her and she had this look of awe in her eyes.

"Meh…" I said dismissively. "I just want to protect people I care about. And the best way to do that is to stay close to them I believe so anyway." I smiled at Yukio who was watching me from his desk. He smiled and then went back to grading papers. Class was over and we were all just talking with each other. "I better get to my next class. We should talk about plans for this summer. I think it will be fun" I said gathering my things and left.

"I'm going to be the next paladin" I heard Rin say.

"Yeah right. Go to class moron." Bon yelled.

"Aren't we going to talk about-"

"You go to class. We will take care of the planning. You…" And I couldn't hear anymore of what Yukio said. I briefly wondered what they were talking about but paid no mind to it. If they wanted me to know they would tell me. The thing is they never told me. And I forgot about it.

Yukio, Rin and I were waiting outside for everyone to show up for the first day of boot camp. Once everyone was here Yukio gave everyone a tour of the building. We took several tests and Yukio and Shura trained us in guns and swords until dinner. It was interesting having the whole dining area full for once. I grabbed my tray from the counter and walked to Rin and everyone else. A boy with red hair and green eyes called my name as he approached.

"Hey you're the girl that put all the meisters as her focus right?"

"Yeah" I said. This boy gave me a bad feeling.

"That's really cool. Hey you want to come and eat with me and my friends?" He asked as he pointed behind him towards a couple of boys. All the boys were looking in our direction.

I smiled and pointed towards Yukio and the others. "My friends already saved me a seat."

"Oh… Ok maybe some other time then." He gave his best smile but it looked so defeated already. Many people didn't know about Yukio and I yet. "Well see you around" He said as he went back to his friends that looked just as disappointed. I sighed feeling a little bad and decided to go to Yukio before I regretted doing anything nice.

"Alexandra has a fan club" Shura laughed elbowing Yukio.

"I didn't know I was so popular" I laughed nervously.

"Well you started a name for yourself when you put all the meisters on your form" Rin said casually taking a bite of food. He looked like a mixture of jealous, mad and happy all at the same time.

"Was that the wrong thing to do?" I asked looking at everyone. Everyone was shaking their heads no. "I figured I tested well in them all I mid as well put them all."

"You're like a one woman team" Sheimi said.

I took a bite of food finally and thought how to reply back to that. "Not really, my top focuses make me a support more than anything. And besides exorcists shouldn't go into battle alone."

"You sound like an instructor. Yukio rubbing off on you?" Shura said pushing Yukio into me.

"Will you knock the shit off and take your job more seriously?" Yukio said trying to be calm. I was surpised. Yukio looked kinda scary. But hot. It was a hot scary. And then I laughed at myself out loud. Everyone looked at me.

"I just haven't seen Yukio mad before" I said playing with my food. "Well I've seen him brotherly mad at Rin before."

"So anyway are you going to become in instructor or what? Alexandra." I looked at Shura. I thought she was talking to someone else.

"Oh." I said after realizing she was talking to me. "Whatever I'm needed for."

"What about paladin?" Shura asked looking entertained.

I groaned "Anything but that."

"What's wrong with it? Yukio was paladin for a short time." She said patting his back roughly.

I rose my eyebrow at Yukio. "It was for a short time" Yukio said.

"It's just sounds like a whole bunch of stuff I don't want to deal with." I said finally, playing with my food as I said it. "Plus I want to be near those I want to protect and I've always felt the best way to do that is to be near them."

"If you were paladin you could protect everyone." Shura said shaking an empty can at me.

"And then I'd have the heavy expectation from everyone to be the best all the time. And no one can be the best all the time." I said then took another bite of food.

"You're pretty smart there kid." Shura said.

"Thanks" I mumbled.

Everyone just ate and didn't say anything for a while. The dinning area was beginning to clear out as people went to get ready for the night.

"Alexandra, Izumo would you like to get a bath?" Sheimi asked looking very hopeful.

"No there's probably too many people" Izumo said picking up her tray and headed towards the hall way where she was sleeping.

Sheimi looked at me with wide eyes.

"Uhh… I just shower. I don't really take baths…." I said and Sheimi looked so disappointed. I sighed picking up my tray, "Alright lets go." She looked at me with the happiest face, I couldn't help but smile. "Would you like to join us Shura?" I asked.

"I'll pass. I have things I need take care of" Shura said looking where those boys were sitting. I followed her vision and saw a boy look down just as I looked over there. I bit my lip thinking something wasn't right.

"I'll see you guys when we are done then" I smiled to everyone and went to put my tray away.

"This is so exciting. I never bathed with a friend before" Sheimi said when I approached her.

"I have before. At my old school my friends and I would always go to the hot springs after class."

"Did you like it?" Shiemi said

"Yeah I guess… It was fun. Everything depends on who your doing it with." I said to Shiemi as we walked to towards the doorway that leads to the bath. I smiled at Yukio. Then looked where the boys were sitting. Two of them were staring at me. Sent chills down my spine. I really had a bad feeling about them. Sheimi and I got our things we needed we luckily had lockers by each other. We both began removing our school uniforms. I got down to my underwear as she was struggling with her bowtie still. I laughed and helped her. My back turned towards the entrance now. I watched Sheimi struggle with the buttons of her shirt. I laughed. "You haven't been wearing this uniform long have you?" I asked and she shook her head no. I moved her hands away and helped her get the buttons done. I heard screaming I looked towards the sound and so did Sheimi. Girls in the bath were screaming in horror and pointing towards Sheimi and I. We both turned around. A Naberious was approaching us. "Shit" I said as I realized that it was blocking the entrance. I hoped someone heard their screams. The girls scrambled to get out of the bath and grab towels. I really wish I left my bra on now so I was covered better. "I'm about to kick ass in just underwear…" I mumbled "Could be totally naked I guess…"I Shrugged getting into my locker for a summoning paper. I bit my thumb hard and put the blood on the paper, saying "Alejo I command you to come forth and clear my path." Alejo instantly took an offensive stance. "I want you to distract it so they can get out to get Shura and Yukio."

"Right" Alejo said as he darted towards the naberious.

Sheimi talked to her familiar and it sprouted branches trapping Alejo and the naberious.

I turned towards the other girls quickly pulling my bra out and putting it on, "For those of you not prepared to lay your life on the line go get help. Find Yukio or Shura." I said as a few girls ran out clutching towels to them. I focused on saying the fatal verse I hoped was the naberious'. It wasn't. When I was done I looked around me. Only Sheimi and I were left. I rolled my eyes. I started another fatal verse. It seemed to be the right one as the naberious began attacking the branches , trying to get to me. Alejo attacked the naberious trying to get its attention but the naberious swatted him away and fluid splashed on me. It burnt. I was almost done with the fatal verse but I wanted to quit so bad. I was so tired and the fluid was burning my skin on my stomach, my forearm and some on my chest. I heard gun fire. One more sentence…. I said the last few words louder trying to hurry and get them out. The demon disappeared. Sheimi's familiar got rid of the branches. I fell to the side and then rolled onto my back groaning.

"Sheimi we need aloe vera on these burns" Yukio said. Sheimi nodded her head in her familiar sprouted aloe vera Yukio and Sheimi broke the plant and put it on my burns. It started to feel better. Only a little. I showed them my forearm. And laughed a little because they thought they were done. I looked down at myself and saw that my torso was almost covered with the plant. I looked to my side to see many of the classmates staring at me. Male and female. I blushed madly realizing I was only in my undergarments.

"Thanks for staying with me Sheimi, I don't know what would have happened without you here." I offered a smile to her trying not to think about my audience.

She smiled back at me "Not a problem. "

I let my eyes close. I heard Yukio say my name and pressure applied to my wrist Yukio was kneeling by. I forced myself to smile even though I was so tired.

"I'm not going to die yet…" I said and let my smile fall as I fell into sleeps embrace.

I awoke to hearing voices talking. I tried opening my eyes but it felt like it was going to take so much energy, so I stopped and just listened.

"Did you catch the ones responsible for the attack?" It was a male. Who though?

"Yeah. They are being questioned right now. They don't want to talk though." It sounded like Shura. "I'm going to go see what I can do about it."

I groaned and tried opening my eyes. I really wanted to know who attacked us. I tried to sit up but ended up just moaning in pain. The pain surprised me and I was able to open my eyes all the way. I was so hot. I moved my arm to move the blanket then moved my legs on top of the covers.

"You're up." a familiar voice said. I looked to where the voice came from and I smiled.

"Hey Yukio" I sounded so weak. I looked at everyone else in the room. It was all of my friends and Shura. "Who was responsible for the attack?"

"Those boys you rejected" Yukio said not looking at me.

"I want to see them" I said getting up on my elbow. I did my best to ignore the burning sensation over my torso. I looked down to see I was still in just my underwear and bra… I covered myself up.

"They did request to see yo-" Shura started.

"Absolutely not" Yukio said.

"I'll be in there with her. She'll be fine" Shura said casually switching her weight to the other leg.

Yukio was about to say something but I interrupted him, "Bottom drawer, get me a sundress please." Yukio sighed. Sheimi got a dress for me. I slipped it over my head and arms and threw the covers off of me. I stood up and straightened out the dress. I walked over and put on simple sandals. "I'm ready." Shura nodded and put a key in the hole. We all went through and walked until we came to a door. Shura opened it and her, Yukio and I went in.

They boys' eyes instantly locked onto me. I tried to remain indifferent. For now. I was glad to be able to sit in a chair when the person interrogating them stood to let me sit in front of the boys.

"What you did is unforgivable" I said glaring at them.

"We only did it to show you how strong we are" One of them said, the others glared at him.

"You are training to be exorcists. To protect others not put people in danger. Someone could have gotten hurt. –I did get hurt." I said pulling the sundress aside to show them the mark on my chest. "There is no excuse for what you did" I said angrily. All of them looked away from me. "If you want someone to like you, you have to be yourself. And most importantly you have to let them like you-not force it." I got up feeling satisfied with what I said. I felt I covered what I had to and was a perfect mixture between nice and mean. I started feeling weak again. "I'm ready to go" I said to Shura and Yukio. We all went back to my room. I instantly laid on my bed.

"You spoke to them like they were your children" Shura laughed.

"Yeah… I figured it was the best way to go about it. I was just going to yell at them after I got the confession out of them but they looked so sad. I couldn't keep yelling at them since they already got the idea what they did was wrong." I looked at Shura, "So what's going to happen to them?"

"Not sure. Probably going to be expelled from the school." Shura said.

I was going to say something but my stomach growled loudly. Everyone left to go get some food.

Yukio stayed with me. "How do you feel now?"

"I'm alright" I smiled "Still kicking" I said as I kicked my foot over the bed.

"I was worried about you" He said using his finger to move the hair behind my ear.

I smiled at him, "Sorry to make you worry. So…Does everyone know about those guys-ya know that they were the ones to summon that demon?"

"Not many. But I'm sure they will all know soon enough." Yukio held my hand "I'm taking Rin and the other Esquires with me to do some errands. We will be gone for a little while. I want you to summon Alejo to stay with you while I'm gone."

"Ok." I pulled a summoning circle paper from my pillow. I laughed, "I keep some here just incase something happens."

"Ok but save your strength for now" Yukio said stopping me from taking the bandage off of my thumb. I nodded just as Rin and the others came back. Shura wasn't with them. She went back to interrogate those boys. Rin brought up a tray for Yukio and we all ate and talked. Yukio looked over all of my burns again before he left. I summoned Alejo and he watched over me as I slept. I heard many people screaming at once. I shot up and out of bed. I ran with Alejo towards the screaming. In the dinning area the rest of my cram school class mates were surrounded by various demons. I commanded Alejo to clear a path so that I could be with my classmates.

"We need to work together. From center to the outside of our circle has to be, Aria. Tamers. Dragoon and then Knights on the outside." Everyone arranged themselves. Someone near me threw their guns on the floor and yelled how they couldn't do it. "May I use this?" I asked looking at them they nodded before making their way to the center of the circle. I watched as Alejo attacked a bug type demon. I aimed at it about to shoot and heard screaming behind me. I turned to see another bug demon flying over the circle of my classmates. I took aim and quickly fired the shot gun. I hit it and it disappeared. My shoulder ached. I really preferred hand guns… I saw a demon I was certain I knew the fatal verse to and began saying it while still taking aim at it. Instantly it became engaged and began attacking harder. Alejo began attacking that demon. I aimed the gun at the demon I had one last bullet. Two of my classmates and Alejo were between the demon and I. The demon broke through them and charged after me. Alejo ran between us and was able to slow it down now. Just a couple more words… Alejo was thrown across the room. I focused on the fatal verse hoping Alejo was almost done. I said the last word and the demon disappeared. I heard cheering as I fell to my knees. I set the gun to my side.

"Are you ok?" Someone asked from beside me.

I didn't look at them. I just nodded hearing the cheering and people talking about how scared they just were. I closed my eyes and then woke up in my bed. I looked around and saw Yukio, Shura and Mephisto talking. Shura and Yukio had their backs to me. Mephisto saw me sitting up.

"Now now. No need to exert yourself. How about you rest?" Mephisto said.

Yukio turned around and gently laid me back down. "You need to rest."

"What happened?" I groaned.

"You did an excellent job of leading your fellow classmates through your esquire exam!~" Mephisto said cheerfully.

"Exam…" I whispered.

"Yes. And once I have reviewed everyone's charts I will decide who passes and who doesn't" Mephisto said playing with the rim of his hat.

"Great…" I grumbled.

"Yukio I'll leave you to take care of her" Mephisto said as he left with Shura.

"Is that why you left? Because of the exam?"

"Yeah…" He said looking away, "I should have stayed with you."

"I still would have gotten out of bed" I smiled weakly. The door opened and I watched as Rin, Sheimi, Bon, Konekomaru, Shima and Izumo walk in. "Hey guys" I said trying to sound like I had more energy than I actually had.

"You sound awesome from what the others are saying" Rin said looking excited "I wish we could have seen it but Yukio had to take us with him to do stupid errands."

Everyone said at once in their own way what they heard. It gave me a headache trying to listen to everyone and then it got quiet. Yukio held up his hand, "Alexandra needs her rest."

"Alright." Rin said pushing on Bon towards the door. Bon sent Rin a glare.

"See you later Alexandra." Sheimi said waving on her way out the door.

I closed my eyes and relaxed. Enjoying listening to them talk to each other as they left.

I opened my eyes and smiled seeing Yukio looking at me. I moved over to make room, "Lay with me."

Yukio looked torn for a second but took off his shoes and crawled on top of the covers. I pressed my lips to his and he returned the kiss. His arm went around me. I groaned in pain a little from the pain on my stomach. "Sorry" He said instantly letting me go.

"It's fine. It just burns still a little" I yawned and cuddled close to him. His arm went back around me, lightly this time. "I'm going to go to sleep."

"Alright. That would be best" He said before placing a kiss on the top of my head. I fell asleep quickly. I wondered how I did on the exam.